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From the Vicar
Feast of All Saints
Future of Hiker Hostel Program
Sunday School
Box City 2007
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Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service
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Vicarage Committee
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From the Vicar:

Dear Friends,

Last month I was guest preacher for New Consecration Sunday at an Episcopal parish in California. There were two services that fine Sunday morning. When I arrived bright and early the people were there already, and two dozen round tables had been set up in the patio between church and parish hall. Young people were folding napkins, and others were arranging flowers on the colorful tables. Joy in being together and expectancy of something good coming were clear to see. What the day was about, announced on four big banners fluttering in the salty sea breeze—“Giving Awakens the Spirit”— was happening already, people serving and laughing and hoping together.

At 8 and 10 that morning we celebrated the Holy Eucharist, the Church’s Great Thanksgiving, the heart of our worship and the event with which each new week begins for those who follow the risen Christ. The church was filled twice, the choir sang an anthem—“Where Your Treasure Is, There Will Your Heart Be Also,” and the people took five minutes right there in the service to think about what the community means to them, to pray, to consider giving a larger percentage of their income to the church, and to fill out their “estimate of giving” cards. Then, another beautiful moment occurred.

We celebrated the Eucharist in the usual way, giving thanks to God for the gifts of creation, of prophets and apostles and all faithful people, and above all for Jesus, his life and death and resurrection. Then, as the people came to the table to receive Holy Communion they paused at a large wicker basket placed near the communion rail. Couples, family groups, individuals dropped their pledges into the basket. Often a child placed the family’s envelope in the basket, learning early on what it means to offer ourselves at the altar. Making an offering, kneeling to receive God’s gracious gifts to us in the bread and the cup of our salvation: this is the shape of our life in Christ.

Soon we enter the season of telling once more the story of God’s great gift to the world in the birth of Jesus, as we keep the four Sundays of Advent and celebrate the twelve days of Christmas. As once more with shepherds and wise men we make our way to the manger, this could be a time to stop, pray, and consider what gifts we will bring.

Being among you these two years has been a gift to me, a blessing that I will keep always. As I conclude my ministry here at the Feast of Christ the King, I wish for you and yours a Blessed Advent and a Joyous Christmas. May the New Year see the institution of a new ministry here, and may the years ahead find us all--wherever we are-- truly grateful, always joyful, ever faithful.

Sincerely,

Charles Rice, Interim Vicar

On November 4 we celebrated the Feast of All Saints--which actually occurred on Thursday, November 1—a day to give thanks for all faithful people. For many it is a day to remember our own personal saints, those who by their reverent and exemplary lives have led us to Christ and have helped us on our way. It is a time when we remember that we are part of those who have gone before, and of those who will follow us in the great procession of faith. At All Saints’, we celebrate the church on earth and the church in heaven, what is sometimes called the Church Militant—still fighting the good fight—and the Church Triumphant.

Ours was an especially wonderful celebration. The children from the Sunday School along with four of their teachers—Emilie Dupont, Nancy Hansen, Susanne Hoehne, and Karen Lynch—were present for the entire service. As the children sat with Father Rice at the altar step, there was a sermon just for them, about how All Saints’ Day turns the scary jack-o-lantern of Halloween into a pumpkin pie, just as the perfect love we know in Jesus Christ turns our fears into faith. Following the sermon the children followed the cross, carried by our acolyte, Nicole Belli, to the Baptistery. Once more the children sat on the floor, as Fr. Rice began the baptism of Jack Everett Paladini by telling the children about their own baptisms., and about our prayers that Jack would also grow up going to Sunday School and learning how to live true to the meaning of his baptism. Then, at the offertory, the children brought gifts from Sunday School to the altar and sang an anthem: “Jesus Loves Me.” It was a fitting celebration of all the saints.

There are four days in the Church Year designated for Holy Baptism: The Baptism of Jesus (early January), Easter, Pentecost, and All Saints. Those days, along with the Christmas Pageant, are good occasions for having our Sunday School children present for the whole worship service. The children can then learn from the liturgy what we believe and how we live it out. Thanks to the Sunday School teachers and to Eleanor Bortnick, our organist, (and of course to Jack for being baptized!) for an All Saints’ Sunday to remember.

Charles Rice

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For seven or eight years, Dave Mertens has run the best long distance hiker hostel on the Appalachian Trail, according to the three or four hundred comments to this effect that we get every year. He has provided information, transportation and hospitality to the [at least] 3,000 hikers that have visited our church over the years. Nevertheless, Dave's health is poor, by his own admission, and he is interested in training a successor. This person needs to have a lot of free time, especially in the evenings, and a desire to help people of all backgrounds, personalities and nationalities. The new person needs to be friendly, flexible and accommodating, but unafraid to enforce some rules and order when necessary. Dave will leave some very big shoes to fill, (literally and figuratively), but he is interested in training any member of St. Thomas’ who feels this job could be his/her calling at our church. It is a critical mission here, and one that has made St. Thomas' a well-respected name in our town, our diocese and the larger Appalachian Trail hiking community.

If you feel you can help Dave now or in the future, please call him at (973) 209-4320.

Emilie Dupont

Our schedule for Sunday morning includes a prayer, a song, a scripture reading, a Bible search of a specific book and verse, a game, and a snack. So much to do in a short time! The children are having a good time looking for our lessons in the Bible and following along or reading aloud. It’s been such an accomplishment for them when they succeed. We have been discussing the Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John – and how these books contain parables Jesus told so that we might better understand how to live a Christian life .

Nancy Hansen

This class of intermediate students spends most of the year studying the classic Bible stories of the Old Testament, and the organization of the Bible as a whole. Except for the Advent and Easter seasons, the fourth, fifth and sixth graders work through the first part of the Bible story by story. They do a craft activity, a diorama, or a dramatic presentation that relates to each story. In addition, fourth - sixth graders are expected to memorize The Lord's Prayer if they have not already learned it, and are exposed to other important parts of the Book of Common Prayer, including The Apostle's and Nicene Creeds. Finally, during Lent, this class traditionally chooses a charitable cause to raise money for, and learns how both Jews and Christians believe in helping the poor and unfortunate of the world. Emilie Dupont has taught this class for seven years.

This small class now includes sixth grade students. Our Bishop, Mark Beckwith, wants children to be at least 13 years old when confirmed. Sixth, seventh, and eighth graders at St. Thomas’ are welcome to come to the intermediate Sunday School class until our new vicar forms the confirmation class.

Any questions, comments, or suggestions should be directed to the individuals teaching Sunday School this year, or to Emilie Dupont, the current Christian Education Coordinator.

Emilie Dupont

Box City 07 was definitely a good thing. If the Sussex County Interfaith Hospitality Network sponsors it again, I hope we will have some high school people that will be able to participate. It was a very organized event and in spite of the inclement weather, everyone joined right in for the music, games, dinner, and panel speakers that took place throughout the evening. I must confess I did not stay overnight but judging from the way things were headed, everyone was going to have a great time. I also believe that the mission of the night was accomplished as we were brought to an awareness that for one night we would only slightly replicate what thousands of people have to do every night. We are the lucky ones. We were able to go home.

Nancy Wiedbrauk

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On Sunday November 25th following the 10 AM service, St. Thomas’ Church will host a reception to express our appreciation to the Rev. Dr. Charles Rice for his ministry among us as our Interim Vicar during the past two years. The event will be sponsored by St. Thomas’s Executive Committee, Vicarage Committee, and ECW. Please plan to attend to convey our gratitude to Charles on his last Sunday with us.

This special gathering also represents an opportunity to celebrate the completion of several months of dedicated labor during which the Vicarage was refreshed and revitalized to serve as a welcoming home for our new Vicar. Vicarage Committee members and supporters are currently putting the finishing touches on the kitchen and the master bathroom and are preparing for the big clean-up project that will mark the end of our efforts.

You may have noticed that the Vicarage’s beauty is now complimented by a handsome fence enclosing the backyard. The fence is the gift of several parishioners, notably Dave Mertons who very generously endowed the fence in memory of Millie Mertons and the Rev. Steven Steele.

Our celebration and reception on the 25th will be held in the undercroft but please note that the Vicarage will be also open for your enjoyment. Merchants, contributors, volunteers, supporters, and all parishioners are warmly invited to participate in the festivities. Please join us!

Maryellen Garvey

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